Camp Funding
SSAH funds (see the Financials page) can be used to offset camp fees. Parks and Recreation offers a "welcome policy" that subsidizes the cost of their programs: contact your Adapted and Integrated Services coordinator for details.
The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund provides financial support for children to attend summer camp programs. Applications must be made by December 31st by the camps, not the families. Toronto Star: 416-869-4847, www.thestar.com.
The Reach for the Rainbow program helps children with special needs attend regular day camps, with the help of an aide (parents pay for the aide). See their web site. www.reachfortherainbow.ca
Planning for Camp
When exploring a camp for your child or youth with ASD, some things to consider:
* integration vs. special needs only camps - what would best suit your child? if your child needs a more supportive environment for the moment, perhaps you can "try out" integration camps over a few summers
* day camps vs residential camps - again, it may take some time building up to residential camp - some camps offer a way to try residential settings for just a weekend or a few days
* planning for the future - look for camp experiences that offer a potential long-term experience for your child - always be looking forward
* give your child a break - our kids need challenges, and we need to plan for the future, but every child deserves at least some of the summer where the challenges are a little less and they can just relax and be themselves
Preparing Camp for Your Child
When you have a camp booked, prepare a "getting to know my kid" package for the camp and any workers involved. Profile your child, identifying their likes and dislikes, their communication style, and other items. Identify potentially difficult situations and how to handle them. Keep it simple, reassuring, and direct. If appropriate, ask for reporting on your child's day at camp (a simple visual list of the possible activities, with the ones your child took part in circled, might do). If you have a chance to meet with a camp worker in advance, focus on the most important issues rather than overwhelming them with details. Encourage open communication - make yourself available.
Preparing Your Child for Camp
* visit the camp and/or their web site
* prepare a personalized book for your child with photos from camp
* read books or watch movies or TV shows that involve summer camps similar to the one(s) your child will attend
* provide a visual schedule/daily planner for your child to use - an inexpensive 5 x 7" photo holder is perfect for this - insert index cards showing (in words and pictures) possible activities - the format allows for changing the order if necessary
Special Camps
An excellent way to locate a camp is through the Ontario Camping Association's web site, which lets you search for a camp based on a wide variety of criteria. Check out their web site: http://www.ontcamp.on.ca/ The new design for 2008 makes it particularly easy to compare camps.
Respiteservices.com has a listing of summer camps on their web site. http://www.respiteservices.com/Toronto/index_e.aspx
The Sara Elizabeth Centre (Blue Veil Ministry) in Etobicoke offers a summer camp for ages 18+ with a physical or developmental disability. Camp located at Kipling and Westway, Operates 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. This is an arts-oriented camp. For more information, visit their web site (http://www.blueveil.org/), email blueveil@rogers.com, or call 416-747 -9796.
Muki Baum runs a children's day program. http://www.mukibaum.com/
Some Ontario camps that offer services specifically for individuals with ASD are:
* Camp Kennebec; 1-877-335-2114 (residence program, for youth) http://www.campkennebec.com/
* Kinark Outdoor Centre; 705-286-3555 http://www.koc.on.ca/
* Camp Kirk; 416-782-3310 http://www.campkirk.com/
* Camp Kodiak; 905-569-7595
* Shadow Lake Centre - residential - www.shadowlakecentre.ca, 905-640-6432
* New Strides Day Camp; 416-39-8533
* Bellwood Lodge & Camp (residential camp for ages 7 to seniors with mental challenges) 519-843-1211
* Camp Muskoka - http://www.campmuskoka.com/
* Camp Robin Hood - http://www.camprh.com/ - 416-736-4443
* The Geneva Centre runs a Bridges summer camp that offers integration support in local parks and recreation camps. http://www.autism.net/
* Camp Prospect in Barrie offers sleep-over camp experiences for children with special needs, including weekend offerings during the year. Call 705-735-0129 or email campprospect@rogers.com.
* Pioneer Camp - integrated residential summer camp program with worker support - www.pioneercamp.com, 1-800-361-2267.
* Miles Nadal JCC - summer day camp and after school programs - 416-924-6211 x128, www.miles.nadajcc.ca
* Camp Winston - residential camp for individuals with ASD and other disabilities - www.campwinston.com 905-707-3427
* A Toronto-area group called DramaWay offers a summer drama camp in a variety of locations in Toronto. Visit them at their web site for more. http://www.dramaway.com/DramaWay.html
* Glenbrook Day Camp in Stouffville offers spots for special needs children in an integrated setting. The cost is reasonable and they have experience with kids with ASD. Visit www.glenbrookdaycamp.coom or call 905-640-2127.
* Markham's Camp Green Acres has an inclusion program to include children with special needs (including ASD and Asperger's) in their regular camp. The camp can offer 1:1 counselors. The program is headed by Randie Newman. For more, contact Randie at 416-702-2695 or the camp itself at 905-887-1400.
* Reena offers a program for 13 - 21 year olds, with outings, games, arts and crafts - contact Gloria at 905-889-2690 x2116. Reena operates out of the Toby & Henry Battle Development Centre in Thornhill (Yonge, north of Steeles). They also offer summer programs in the south, in the Bathurst and Bloor area.
* YMCA camps are open to individuals with ASD who come with a worker from Reach for the Rainbow. 416-928-9622 www.ymcatoronto.org
* Ko-Ach Adventures is an "experiental outdoor initiative" focused on persons with special needs. It aims to "promote healthy living and well-being while installing a sense of accomplis hment, pride and community among participants". Participants learn team building, canoing, swimming, map-reading, tent-construction and cooperation ski lls. The pro gram offers a 2:1 ratio. Contact Ko-Ach Adventures, 372 Sunnyside Avenue, Toronto, 416-763-6339 or ko.achadventures@gmail.com.
If you receive services from Toronto Community Living, you may be eligible for an aide to accompany your child to regular summer camp for two weeks. Check with your case worker.
Parks and Recreation in all four districts have an Adaptive and Integrated Services program that can, in many cases, provide a support worker for your child to attend Parks and Recreation day camps. Check your Parks and Recreation brochure for details.